JOHANNESBURG - The Association of Mineworkers and Trade Unions (Amcu) has questioned whether mining bosses on the platinum belt fully comprehend the suffering of its members and says the companies must work to meet its demands to stabilise the industry.

About 100,000 Amcu members have been on strike since Thursday demanding a basic wage of R12,500.

Amcu and representatives of Amplats, Lonmin and Impala Platinum are also in talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which are being facilitated by government.

The union's Jimmy Gama says, "They need to understand the suffering of the workers over the last number of years. In order to build this industry going forward and ensure that there's stability and peace, they need to get ready to apply their minds to these demands."

CALLS FOR PATIENCE

The CCMA has called on the platinum industry to be patient with the talks.

The talks between Amcu, Amplats, Implats and Lonmin started at the CCMA headquarters last week.

But it's understood the first revised offer from mine bosses was only made on Tuesday.

The CCMA's Nerine Kahn says the talks may continue for some time.

"Negotiations go through cycles and it's hard to predict when a resolution will be reached. It takes time and we need people to be patient."